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Realization utility with adaptive reference points

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  • Xuedong He
  • Linan Yang

Abstract

Experimental studies have demonstrated that a typical investor derives utility of the gain and loss, relative to certain reference point, realized at each sale of a stock, and that the reference point adapts asymmetrically to the stock's prior gains and losses in that the adaptation to a gain is more substantial than to a comparable loss. This empirical finding motivates us to consider a dynamic trading problem in which an agent decides when to sequentially sell and buy a stock in order to maximize her utility of terminal wealth and realized gains and losses based on a reference point that adapts asymmetrically to the stock's prior gains and losses. We show that this agent is more reluctant to sell the stock at a loss than another agent whose reference point does not adapt to the stock gain or loss at all, leading to a higher percentage of gains realized (PGR) and a lower percentage of losses realized (PLR). We also show that when the agent weighs the utility of realized gains and losses more heavily in her investment criteria, she trades the stock more frequently, the PGR becomes lower, and the PLR becomes higher.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuedong He & Linan Yang, 2019. "Realization utility with adaptive reference points," Mathematical Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 409-447, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:mathfi:v:29:y:2019:i:2:p:409-447
    DOI: 10.1111/mafi.12182
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    Cited by:

    1. Shuoqing Deng & Xun Li & Huyên Pham & Xiang Yu, 2022. "Optimal consumption with reference to past spending maximum," Finance and Stochastics, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 217-266, April.
    2. Zongxia Liang & Xiaodong Luo & Fengyi Yuan, 2022. "Consumption-investment decisions with endogenous reference point and drawdown constraint," Papers 2204.00530, arXiv.org, revised Nov 2022.
    3. Vicky Henderson & Jonathan Muscat, 2020. "Partial liquidation under reference-dependent preferences," Finance and Stochastics, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 335-357, April.
    4. Moris S. Strub & Duan Li, 2020. "Failing to Foresee the Updating of the Reference Point Leads to Time-Inconsistent Investment," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 68(1), pages 199-213, January.
    5. Shuoqing Deng & Xun Li & Huyen Pham & Xiang Yu, 2020. "Optimal Consumption with Reference to Past Spending Maximum," Papers 2006.07223, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2022.
    6. Yang, Chunpeng & Zhang, Zhanpei, 2021. "Realization utility with stop-loss strategy," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 261-275.
    7. Zongxia Liang & Xiaodong Luo & Fengyi Yuan, 2023. "Consumption-investment decisions with endogenous reference point and drawdown constraint," Mathematics and Financial Economics, Springer, volume 17, number 6, December.
    8. Xun Li & Xiang Yu & Qinyi Zhang, 2021. "Optimal consumption with loss aversion and reference to past spending maximum," Papers 2108.02648, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2024.
    9. Jia Yue & Ming-Hui Wang & Nan-Jing Huang, 2022. "Global Optimal Consumption–Portfolio Rules with Myopic Preferences and Loss Aversion," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 60(4), pages 1427-1455, December.
    10. Lou, Youcheng & Strub, Moris S. & Li, Duan & Wang, Shouyang, 2021. "The impact of a reference point determined by social comparison on wealth growth and inequality," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    11. Min Dai & Yipeng Jiang & Hong Liu & Jing Xu, 2023. "A Rational Theory for Disposition Effects," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 47, pages 131-157, January.
    12. Alex S. L. Tse & Harry Zheng, 2023. "Speculative trading, prospect theory and transaction costs," Finance and Stochastics, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 49-96, January.
    13. Alex S. L. Tse & Harry Zheng, 2019. "Speculative Trading, Prospect Theory and Transaction Costs," Papers 1911.10106, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2022.

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